Foliar Levels Research Articles

Ecosystem, Location, and Climate Effects on Foliar Secondary Metabolites of Lodgepole Pine Populations from Central British Columbia

Lodgepole pines, Pinus contorta Douglas ex Louden var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Watson, are encountering increased abiotic stress and pest activity due to recent increases in temperature and changes in precipitation throughout their range. This tree species counters these threats by producing secondary metabolites, including phenolics and terpenoids. We examined foliar levels of lignin, soluble phenolics, monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and diterpenoids in 12 stands in British Columbia, Canada. We used these data to assess associations among foliar secondary metabolite levels and ecosystem, geographic, and climatic variables. Regressions were also performed to observe which combinations of variables best explained secondary metabolite variance. Stands of P. c. latifolia in the Coastal Western Hemlock and Interior Cedar/Hemlock biogeoclimatic zones had consistently greater foliar levels of almost all measured secondary metabolites than did other stands. Lignin was present in greater amounts in Boreal White/Black Spruce ecosystem (i.e., northern) stands than in southern stands, suggesting a role for this metabolite in pine survival in the boreal forest. Attempts to develop regression models with geographic and climatic variables to explain foliar secondary metabolite levels resulted in multiple models with similar predictive capability. Since foliar secondary metabolite levels appeared to vary most between stand ecosystem types and not as much due to geographic and climatic variables, metabolic profiles appeared best matched to the stress levels within local environments. It is unknown if differences in secondary metabolite levels are the result of genetic adaptation or phenotypic plasticity, but results from this and other studies suggest that both are important. These results are interpreted in light of ongoing efforts to assist in the migration of certain populations of P. c. latifolia northward in an effort to counter predicted effects of climate change.

Infection by Mycorrhizal Fungi Increases Natural Enemy Abundance on Tobacco (Nicotiana rustica)

The presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) influences plant nutrient uptake, growth, and plant defensive chemistry, thereby directly influencing multi-trophic interactions. Different fungal isolates (genotypes of the same fungal species) have been shown to differ in nutrient uptake ability. Plants infected with different AMF genotypes may vary in foliar nutrient or defensive chemical levels, potentially influencing multi-trophic interactions. Using a completely randomized design, we compared the effect of two isolates of the mycorrhizal fungus Glomus etunicatum W. N. Becker & Gerdemann on silver leaf whitefly (Bemisia argentifolii Bellows & Perring) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and parasitic wasp (Eretmocerus eremicus Rose & Zolnerowich) (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) abundance. Whitefly populations were not influenced by AMF infection. Parasite populations were higher on plants infected with the isolate collected from Georgia, even after controlling for whitefly abundance and plant architecture. We propose that AMF indirectly influences parasite abundance and parasitism through a change in leaf surface chemicals that affect parasitic wasps. Because of the ubiquity of and genetic variation in AMF, multi-trophic interactions are likely to be strongly influenced by belowground processes.

PENGARUH TEMPERATUR DAN KELEMBABAN TERHADAP TINGKAT KERUSAKAN DAUN JABON (Anthocephalus cadamba) OLEH Arthrochista hilaralis

Arthrochista hilaralis merupakan hama defoliator yang menyebabkan tingkat kerusakan sampai 97,88% pada tanaman jabon di Hutan Tanaman Industri (HTI) sektor Baserah dan 67,80% di Hutan Rakyat (HR) Pantai Cermin. Perbedaan tingkat kerusakan ini di duga berkaitan dengan pengaruh kelembaban dan temperatur. Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui hubungan antara tingkat kerusakan daun akibat serangan dengan temperatur dan kelembaban. Penelitian dilakukan di dua lokasi, yaitu areal HTI sektor Baserah, Kabupaten Kuansing dan areal HR Pantai Cermin, Kabupaten Kampar, Riau. Pada masing-masing lokasi dibangun 5 plot pengamatan, masing-masing plot terdiri atas 100 pohon. Plot ditempatkan secara sistematik mengikuti metode kudratik. Parameter yang diukur adalah tingkat kerusakan daun oleh temperatur dan kelembaban lingkungan di sekitar pohon. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa di HTI sektor Baserah temperatur berkorelasi negatif (-0,288**) dan kelembaban berkorelasi positif (0,303**) terhadap tingkat kerusakan. Pada HR Pantai Cermin, temperatur berkorelasi positif (0,169**) dan kelembaban berkorelasi negatif (-0,187**) terhadap tingkat kerusakan daun akibat Persamaan linear regresi antara tingkat kerusakan dengan temperatur serta kelembaban untuk lokasi HTI sektor Baserah adalah Y= 4,418 0,015X1 + 0,014X2 (R= 0,305) dan pada HR Pantai Cermin adalah Y= 4,961 0,029X1 0,004X2 (R=0,187).

Level of ascorbic acid in transgenic rice for l-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase overexpressing or suppressed is associated with plant growth and seed set

Ascorbic acid (Asc) plays a multifunctional role in plants. l-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase (GLDH, EC 1.3.2.3) catalyzes the last step in the main pathway of Asc biosynthesis in higher plants. In this paper, we first examined how a change in Asc content leads to a changed plant growth and seed set using GLDH transgenic rice (Oryza sativa L.) which has different expression level of GLDH. The results showed that suppression of GLDH expression resulted in a loss of chlorophyll, a lower Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco, EC 4.1.1.39) protein content, and a lower rate of CO2 assimilation. As a consequence, a slower rate of plant growth and lower seed set were observed. Reduced seed set and growth rate as measured by plant height, root length, leaf weight, and root weight were consistent with the GLDH-mediated reduction of photosynthetic function. Increasing GLDH expression maintained high levels of chlorophyll, Rubisco protein, and a higher rate of net photosynthesis, resulting in higher seed set. The observation that increasing the level of GLDH expression correlated with reduced lipid peroxidation whereas reducing GLDH expression correlated with increased lipid peroxidation was consistent with the foliar level of Asc, indicating that GLDH functions to protect against ROS-mediated damage. When taken together, this work suggests that level of Asc in transgenic rice for GLDH is associated with plant growth and seed set.

Teores de nutrientes em cultivares de café arábica submetidos à deriva de glyphosate

Avaliaram-se, neste trabalho, os efeitos do glyphosate sobre os teores foliares de nutrientes em três cultivares de café (Coffea arabica). Utilizou-se o esquema fatorial (3 x 5) em delineamento de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições, sendo os tratamentos compostos por três cultivares de café: Catucaí Amarelo (2 SL), Oeiras (MG-6851) e Topázio (MG-1190); e cinco doses de glyphosate (0; 57,6; 115,2; 230,4; e 460,8 g ha-1). Aos 45 e 120 DAA, coletaram-se folhas (terceiro par) de ramos plagiotrópicos, contidos na parte mediana das plantas. Os sintomas de intoxicação foram caracterizados por clorose e estreitamento do limbo foliar para os três cultivares de café. Houve redução nos teores foliares de N, P, K, Cu e Zn aos 45 DAA e de N, K, Mn e Zn aos 120 DAA nas plantas de café tratadas com glyphosate, independentemente do cultivar utilizado. O cultivar Topázio apresentou as maiores reduções nos teores foliares de Fe e Mn, aos 45 DAA, e de P e Fe, aos 120 DAA.

Lodgepole pine provenances differ in chemical defense capacities against foliage and stem diseases

Maximization of lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta Douglas ex Louden var. latifolia Engelm. ex S. Watson) growth in a future climate with increased pest activity requires an understanding of the natural variability of quantitative resistance to disease. Foliar and bark secondary metabolites from different lodgepole pine provenances (populations) were quantified and correlated with severity of foliar diseases caused by Lophodermella spp. ( Lophodermella concolor (Dearn.) Darker or Lophodermella montivaga Petre.) or Elytroderma deformans (Wier) Darker and bark diseases caused by Elytroderma or Endocronartium harknessii (J.P. Moore) Y. Hiratsuka. Greater foliar concentrations of lignin, tannins, and some phenolics were associated with increased resistance to single or multiple foliar pathogens. Bark secondary metabolites levels were generally unassociated with resistance to bark diseases. Provenances appearing to originate in ecosystems where lodgepole pine are not the dominant species generally were more susceptible to foliar diseases and had less foliar defense-associated compounds than trees from areas where pines were the dominant species, yet clear trends proved to be elusive. Regardless, pine provenances with greater foliar levels of identified defense-associated compounds should be preferred seed sources for replanting forests in areas in which foliar disease is expected to be increasingly prevalent.

Production, nutritional status and chemical properties of soils with addition of cattle manure, reactive natural phosphate and biotite schist in Massai cultivar

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of cattle manure, reactive natural phosphate and biotite schist on the soil fertility, yield and nutritional status of Megathyrsus spp. cv. Massai. The experiment was conducted under field conditions, in a dystrophic Red Yellow Latosol (Oxisol). It was used a randomized block experimental design with the following treatments: three natural reactive rock phosphate from Algeria (Djebel-Onk) doses (0, 100 and 200 kg ha-1 of P2O5), three biotite schist doses (0, 150 and 300 kg ha-1 of K2O) and three cattle manure doses (0, 20 and 40 t ha-1). The application of natural phosphate increased dry matter yield, however, application of cattle manure and biotite schist did not influence this variable. Foliar levels of nitrogen, potassium and magnesium (cattle manure), phosphorous and boron (natural rock phosphate) and potassium (biotite schist) were influenced by the applied fertilizer doses. Only the levels of phosphorous in the soil and in the plant and levels of magnesium and boron in the plant show interaction with dry matter yield of Massai cultivar.

Augmentation of abscisic acid (ABA) levels by drought does not induce short-term stomatal sensitivity to CO2 in two divergent conifer species.

The stomata of conifers display very little short-term response to changes in atmospheric CO2 concentration (Ca), whereas the stomatal responses of angiosperms to Ca increase in response to water stress. This behaviour of angiosperm stomata appears to be dependent on foliar levels of abscisic acid (ABAf). Here two alternative explanations for the stomatal insensitivity of conifers to Ca are tested: that conifers have either low ABAf or a higher or absent threshold for ABA-induced sensitivity. The responsiveness of stomatal conductance (gs) to a sequence of transitions in Ca (386, 100, and 600 μmol mol−1) was recorded over a range of ABAf in an angiosperm and two divergent conifer species. The different ABA levels were induced by a mild drought cycle. Although the angiosperm and conifer species showed similar proportional increases in ABAf following drought, conifer stomata remained insensitive to changes in Ca whereas angiosperm stomata showed enhanced sensitivity with increasing ABAf. The conifers, however, had much higher ABAf prior to drought than the angiosperm species, suggesting that non-sensitivity to Ca in these conifers was due to an absent or inactive response/signalling pathway rather than insufficient ABAf.

Increasing leaf glutathione through stem feeding does not acclimate Eucalyptus camaldulensis seedlings towards high-light stress

Elevated foliar concentrations of glutathione (GSH) are a common stress response and potentially crucial in conferring increased stress tolerance. The present study addressed the following questions: can increased foliar GSH levels be achieved in the short term by applying a stem feeding technique to tree seedlings? If yes, will elevated GSH concentrations provide improved tolerance to the adverse effects of high-light stress? To this end Eucalyptus camaldulensis seedlings were stem fed a 5 mM GSH solution for 6–7 h before subjecting them to high-light exposure designed to induce photoinhibition. GSH in leaves was measured using a standard photometric method, and the effect of the high-light treatment was evaluated by the decrease in the optimum quantum efficiency of photosystem II (PSII) measured by chlorophyll fluorescence (F v/F m). Stem feeding GSH significantly increased GSH concentrations in the leaves up to 40% above control plants. Exposure to artificial high-light intensity for 3 h induced significant photoinhibition in leaves, measured by a 15% decrease in F v/F m. At the same time, photosynthesis and stomatal conductance measurements indicated that leaf physiology was not disrupted as a result of the stem feeding technique. However, we have no indication that elevated GSH increased tolerance; neither did it increase sensitivity of plants to high light-induced photoinhibition. This result was accompanied by maintained rates of photochemistry before and after light stress. Unlike previous GSH-related experiments increased tolerance by increasing the rate of photochemistry was not achieved in the present experiment.

Using vector analysis to understand temporal changes in understorey-tree competition in agroforestry systems

Techniques to determine the respective effects of resource limitation or over supply on tree productivity are important for developing effective forestry and agroforestry management strategies. There is a need for a simple integrative measure of the understorey effect on soil nutrient and moisture competition on tree productivity in agroforestry systems during the time period before trees dominate understorey vegetation. For the first time, the little used, but potentially valuable tool of vector analysis was evaluated over 5 years by investigating nutrient and water competition in a Pinus radiata silvopastoral experiment which had 5 pastures and a nil-understorey control. The study, from ages 2 to 6 years, was on fertile arable soils in a temperate, sub-humid climate. Establishing permanent crops on this arable site increased soil pH, C, N, organic-P and C:N ratio. Vector analysis, an analysis based on fascicle nutrient concentrations, dry weights and nutrient contents, predicted nutrient and moisture competition until the trees dominated the site after year 5. Foliar critical nutrient levels were helpful where one of the vectors was unable to distinguish between nutrient and moisture stresses. While moisture and N were found to be the main competitive factors, vector analysis also detected foliar nutrient accumulation, particularly for P and Mg. Lucerne and phalaris understoreys were the most competitive pastures, followed by cocksfoot and the two ryegrass treatments. Foliage vector analysis enabled the relative competitive effects of soil nutrients and moisture on tree productivity to be determined. Soil nutrient concentrations and soil moisture measurements and the effects of competition on tree growth were consistent with predictions from vector analysis.

EFFICACY OF SOYBEAN-BASE LIQUID FERTILIZER FOR GREENHOUSE CROPS

A soybean-base liquid fertilizer [Daniels Plant Food, Sherman TX, USA; 10 nitrogen (N):1.8 phophorus (P):2.5 potassium (K)] for petunia was compared for efficacy to two formulations of 20N:4.4P:16.6K with 40 and 70% of the nitrogen in the reduced form. Petunias treated with the soybean-base fertilizer were taller, flowered in 4.5% less time, had the highest plant rating for foliar color and plant form, and did not differ in plant dry weight from the control (40% reduced nitrogen). Foliar nitrogen concentration was not affected by fertilizer source. Also, cyclamen grown with the soybean-base fertilizer had similar plant and corm growth and formed 47% more flowers than the control. Foliar levels of potassium although lower were adequate in the soybean-base fertilized plants. Ammonium toxicity and potassium deficiency symptoms did not occur with either species. While the substrate pH in the high reduced nitrogen soybean-base treatment was expected to be lower, it was higher or similar to the control in each species.

Nutrient deficiency disorders in Pistacia vera seedling rootstock in relation to eco-physiological, biochemical characteristics and uptake pattern of nutrients

This study examines the effects of nitrogen (N), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn) and molybdenum (Mo) deficiencies on the eco-physiological, biochemical and growth characteristics of pistachio seedlings ( Pistacia vera) in sand culture situation. This experiment, which was carried out in Iran's Pistachio Research Institute (IPRI), seedlings of ‘Badami-e-Zarand’ were used as common rootstock. The following treatments were employed: (1) complete Hoagland's nutrient solution; nutrient solution lacking either: (2) N, (3) Fe, (4) Mg, (5) Mn, (6) Mo, (7) distilled water without Hoagland's solution (Control), (8) Fe–N, (9) Fe–Mn and (10) Fe–Mo. The main deficiency symptoms observed after 7 months of planting were; leaf discoloration, necrosis, scorching, defoliation and stunted growth. Seedlings that received complete nutrient solution were healthy with dark green foliage. Visual symptoms of N-deficient seedlings also coincided with the reduction in foliar levels of the concerned element. Shoot and root growth of the seedlings deficient in nutrients were also affected. Changes in shoot and root biomasses production due to treatments were statistically significant at 1% level. A reduction in height, leaf area and leaf number was noticed for various levels of nutrient element deficiencies. Analysis of some biochemical indices (chlorophyll content) and eco-physiological indices such as primary florescence chlorophyll (Fo), ratio of variable chlorophyll to maximum (Fv/Fm), leaf temperature, transpiration, stomata conduction and resistance of stomata, showed that fractions of chlorophyll, transpiration, stomata conduction and resistant of stomata in treated seedlings, particularly N-deficient seedlings, declined significantly. Chlorophyll (Fo) and ratio of variable chlorophyll to maximum (Fv/Fm) were significant at 5% level. The effects of Fe, Mn, Mg and Mo on dry matter production were statistically significant at 1% level. Synergic effects of certain elements were also evident in the present study. The typical symptoms of deficiencies of various nutrient elements can be used as a guideline for diagnosing nutrient deficiencies of pistachio in commercial nurseries and plantations. The present study also showed multi-deficiency of nutrients, produces new symptom in leaves, which differs from single deficiencies.

Influence of plant maturity, shoot reproduction and sex on vegetative growth in the dioecious plant Urtica dioica.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a herbaceous, dioecious perennial that is widely distributed around the world, reproduces both sexually and asexually, and is characterized by rapid growth. This work was aimed at evaluating the effects of plant maturity, shoot reproduction and sex on the growth of leaves and shoots. Growth rates of apical shoots, together with foliar levels of phytohormones (cytokinins, auxins, absicisic acid, jasmonic acid and salicylic acid) and other indicators of leaf physiology (water contents, photosynthetic pigments, alpha-tocopherol and F(v)/F(m) ratios) were measured in juvenile and mature plants, with a distinction made between reproductive and non-reproductive shoots in both males and females. Vegetative growth rates were not only evaluated in field-grown plants, but also in cuttings obtained from these plants. All measurements were performed during an active vegetative growth phase in autumn, a few months after mature plants reproduced during spring and summer. Vegetative growth rates in mature plants were drastically reduced compared with juvenile ones (48 % and 78 % for number of leaves and leaf biomass produced per day, respectively), which was associated with a loss of photosynthetic pigments (up to 24 % and 48 % for chlorophylls and carotenoids, respectively) and increases of alpha-tocopherol (up to 2.7-fold), while endogenous levels of phytohormones did not differ between mature and juvenile plants. Reductions in vegetative growth were particularly evident in reproductive shoots of mature plants, and occurred similarly in both males and females. It is concluded that (a) plant maturity reduces vegetative growth in U. dioica, (b) effects of plant maturity are evident both in reproductive and non-reproductive shoots, but particularly in the former, and (c) these changes occur similarly in both male and female plants.

Esca et Black Dead Arm : deux acteurs majeurs des maladies du bois chez la Vigne

Grapevine trunk diseases are very harmful to wine-growing heritage durability because the fungi responsible, by attacking perennial organs, cause at a more or less long-term the death of the vine stock. Esca and BDA are the two main pathogens inducing such decaying diseases. The infection can be diagnosed by the presence in the wood forming tissues of sectorial and/or central necrosis, which revealed itself by brown stripes or canker, and at the foliar level by discoloration and withering. This review presents an overview of both Esca and BDA, their symptomatology, the characteristics of the associated fungi and host-pathogen interactions. To conclude, a progress report on the control of both diseases is discussed. To cite this article: P. Larignon et al., C. R. Biologies 332 (2009).

Liming and Manganese Foliar Levels in Orange

ABSTRACT Citrus cultures have a fundamental importance to the Brazilian economy; certain aspects such as plant nutrition, yield, and fruit quality are vital for the citrus industry sustainability. The present study evaluated the nutritional status of manganese in adult Pear orange trees using different lime rates topically applied to the soil. The direct evaluation of lime rates effects on leaf manganese (Mn) levels revealed a decrease of the nutrient correlated to its increased, as well as passage of time between application and measurement. Foliar sampling 30 months after surface lime application evidenced a high correlation of foliar manganese levels with soil base saturation of 10–20 cm. Leaf manganese levels which showed a great probability of high productivity were between 33 and 70 mg kg−1.

The Effect of Time of Sweetpotato Whitefly Infestation on Plant Nutrition and Development of Tomato Irregular Ripening Disorder

Tomato irregular ripening (TIR) disorder is associated with sweetpotato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) biotype B feeding and is characterized by incomplete ripening of longitudinal sections of fruit. Our objective was to determine the effect of time of sweetpotato whitefly infestation on plant nutrition and the development of TIR disorder. Healthy tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Florida Lanai’) were introduced to sweetpotato whitefly infestations at different developmental stages of plant growth: 1) five to seven true leaves, 2) flower, 3) green fruit, and 4) breaking red fruit and were compared with noninfested control plants of the same age. Plants were fertilized every 7 to 14 days. Plant nutrition was monitored over time between the noninfested control and the longest infestation interval (five to seven true leaves) and between all infestation intervals at harvest. Sweetpotato whitefly (egg, nymph, and adult) and plant parameters (height, canopy diameter, number of leaves, flowers, and fruit per plant) were taken every 7 to 14 days after sweetpotato whitefly infestation. Almost all of the fruit (99%) produced by tomato plants infested with sweetpotato whitefly at stages 1 and 2 (78 and 56 days of sweetpotato whitefly exposure, respectively) developed TIR with fruit exhibiting internal and external symptoms. Plants infested at stage 3 (35 days of sweetpotato whitefly exposure) had 79% to 80% of the fruit develop TIR. Surprisingly, 58% of fruit from plants infested at stage 4 (14 days of sweetpotato whitefly exposure) also developed the disorder, indicating that tomatoes may need to be protected from sweetpotato whitefly until harvest to avoid this disorder. Seed germination was unaffected by TIR. Plants infested with sweetpotato whitefly had mean foliar levels of calcium, copper, iron, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc that were greater than in noninfested control plants at final harvest for both studies, regardless of time of infestation.

The Effect of Time of Sweetpotato Whitefly Infestation on Plant Nutrition and Development of Tomato Irregular Ripening Disorder

Tomato irregular ripening (TIR) disorder is associated with sweetpotato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci) biotype B feeding and is characterized by incomplete ripening of longitudinal sections of fruit. Our objective was to determine the effect of time of sweetpotato whitefly infestation on plant nutrition and the development of TIR disorder. Healthy tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum ‘Florida Lanai’) were introduced to sweetpotato whitefly infestations at different developmental stages of plant growth: 1) five to seven true leaves, 2) flower, 3) green fruit, and 4) breaking red fruit and were compared with noninfested control plants of the same age. Plants were fertilized every 7 to 14 days. Plant nutrition was monitored over time between the noninfested control and the longest infestation interval (five to seven true leaves) and between all infestation intervals at harvest. Sweetpotato whitefly (egg, nymph, and adult) and plant parameters (height, canopy diameter, number of leaves, flowers, and fruit per plant) were taken every 7 to 14 days after sweetpotato whitefly infestation. Almost all of the fruit (99%) produced by tomato plants infested with sweetpotato whitefly at stages 1 and 2 (78 and 56 days of sweetpotato whitefly exposure, respectively) developed TIR with fruit exhibiting internal and external symptoms. Plants infested at stage 3 (35 days of sweetpotato whitefly exposure) had 79% to 80% of the fruit develop TIR. Surprisingly, 58% of fruit from plants infested at stage 4 (14 days of sweetpotato whitefly exposure) also developed the disorder, indicating that tomatoes may need to be protected from sweetpotato whitefly until harvest to avoid this disorder. Seed germination was unaffected by TIR. Plants infested with sweetpotato whitefly had mean foliar levels of calcium, copper, iron, phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc that were greater than in noninfested control plants at final harvest for both studies, regardless of time of infestation.

Nutritional effects triggered by the extreme summer 2003 in the free air ozone fumigation experiment at the Kranzberger Forst

Since the year 2000 mature beech and spruce trees were treated in a field experiment with double ambient ozone concentrations. Elevated ozone had no influence on average single leaf biomass and there were also no ozone effects on leaf nutrient concentrations in climatic normal years. However, the extraordinary dry summer 2003 triggered significant differences between the fumigated and control trees. For beech in the year after the drought event the control trees surprisingly had significantly lower foliar levels of K and P than in former years, whereas the ozone exposed trees showed no significant nutritional effects. There are indications, that the trees exposed to double ambient ozone were already adapted to higher ozone values, whereas the control trees experienced extraordinary high ambient ozone concentrations in the dry and sunny summer 2003. For spruce in autumn 2003 and 2004 ozone treated trees had significantly higher foliar levels of K in current year needles than control trees, an effect which cannot be thoroughly interpreted yet on the basis of the dataset available.

Fertilidade do solo, nutrição mineral e produtividade da bananeira irrigada por dez anos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar as alterações na fertilidade do solo, na nutrição mineral e na produtividade de bananeira irrigada por dez anos. O experimento foi conduzido em Latossolo Vermelho eutrófico, de 1997 a 2007, no Município de Janaúba, MG, em um plantio comercial de banana 'Prata-Anã', onde se utilizam, para irrigação por gotejamento, água calcária de poço tubular com salinidade alta e concentração média de sódio. Observou-se que a aplicação da irrigação, por dez anos, promove forte elevação no pH e na condutividade elétrica do solo e desequilíbrios nutricionais, o que limita a produtividade da bananeira. Os teores foliares de macro e micronutrientes permanecem acima dos valores de referência para a cultura.

Photosynthetic properties of C4 plants growing in an African savanna/wetland mosaic

Photosynthesis rates and photosynthesis-leaf nutrient relationships were analysed in nine tropical grass and sedge species growing in three different ecosystems: a rain-fed grassland, a seasonal floodplain, and a permanent swamp, located along a hydrological gradient in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. These investigations were conducted during the rainy season, at a time of the year when differences in growth conditions between the sites were relatively uniform. At the permanent swamp, the largest variations were found for area-based leaf nitrogen contents, from 20 mmol m(-2) to 140 mmol m(-2), nitrogen use efficiencies (NUE), from 0.2 mmol (C) mol(-1) (N) s(-1) to 2.0 mmol (C) mol(-1) (N) s(-1), and specific leaf areas (SLA), from 50 cm(2) g(-1) to 400 cm(2) g(-1). For the vegetation growing at the rain-fed grassland, the highest leaf gas exchange rates, high leaf nutrient levels, a low ratio of intercellular to ambient CO(2) concentration, and high carboxylation efficiency were found. Taken together, these observations indicate a very efficient growth strategy that is required for survival and reproduction during the relatively brief period of water availability. The overall lowest values of light-saturated photosynthesis (A(sat)) were observed at the seasonal floodplain; around 25 micromol m(-2) s(-1) and 30 micromol m(-2) s(-1). To place these observations into the broader context of functional leaf trait analysis, relationships of photosynthesis rates, specific leaf area, and foliar nutrient levels were plotted, in the same way as was done for previously published 'scaling relationships' that are based largely on C(3) plants, noting the differences in the analyses between this study and the previous study. The within- and across-species variation in both A(sat) and SLA appeared better predicted by foliar phosphorus content (dry mass or area basis) rather than by foliar nitrogen concentrations, possibly because the availability of phosphorus is even more critical than the availability of nitrogen in the studied relatively oligotrophic ecosystems.